Geissenhainer, Frederick W, Dd

Geissenhainer, Frederick W., D.D.

a Lutheran minister, son of Reverend Frederick W. Geissenhainer, a distinguished Lutheran preacher, was born at New Hanover, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, June 28, 1797. He came to New York city with his father, at an early age, and was licensed as a minister in 1818. His first pastorate was at Vincent, Chester County, Pennsylvania, where he remained ten years. Fourteen years following he was pastor of St. Matthew's Church (English), in Walker Street, New York city. The congregation of Christ Church at length became the possessor of the property of St. Matthew's, and took that name. Dr. Geissenhainer then founded a new organization, and established the Church known as St. Paul's. The preaching was in a hall on Eighth Avenue; but the church was erected in 1842, on the corner of Sixth Avenue and Fifteenth Street, mainly through the liberality of Dr. Geisseibhainer himself. It was a large and handsome stone structure. The organization began with eleven poor families, but speedily increased to 1500 communicants. During the last three years of his life he was aided by an assistant minister. As a preacher, he was terse, vigorous, and powerful, having complete control of the English and German languages. He died in New York city, June 2, 1879. See Lutheran Observer, July 4, 1879.